Refreshing the spirit
It feels as
if it was only yesterday that we were thinking about 2015 and what we wanted to
achieve. The time seems to have flashed
past and as we reach the end of this year we reflect on what has happened to us
and to others in the past months. For
many it has been an extremely difficult year with conflict and displacement;
with change and confusion; loss and bereavement and other things which
challenge our resilience and sense of hope.
But this is
a time of light and expectation; of looking forward and to harnessing our
strengths to meet the challenges of the next year. Which will, no doubt, pass just as quickly as
previous ones or perhaps this is a phenomenon that comes to us as we grow
older.
It is a time
to refresh our spirit which draws together the things which matter most to us;
which give us a sense of meaning and purpose and the way in which we view the
world. For FiOP spirituality, however we define it for ourselves, is the glue
which binds us and gives us a connection with the wider world.
We want to
make sure that this element of our lives is reflected in the way services and
policies are developed; the way in which we treat each other; how we empower
those who are more vulnerable and how we enhance a sense of well-being. Never shy of a challenge we know there is
much to do as we progress work on dementia friendly faith communities; consider
how spiritual care can be enhanced in continuing care unit; how we encourage
people to consider that understanding their own spirituality can enhance the
way they treat other people.
As we
approach the New Year suggestions stimulated by Edward Hays as to how we might
travel have resonance:
- face the unknown and see it as an adventure
- travel simply and take joy and hardship as they come
- open our ears, eyes and minds and heart to new experiences
Maureen
O’Neill
Director
December
2015
